31 old-fashioned recipes you’ll want to pass down to the next generation

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Ready to step back in time? These 31 old-fashioned recipes are more than just meals; they’re time-honored classics that you’ll want to pass down to the next generation.

From comfort foods that grandma used to make to vintage desserts that’ll take you down memory lane, this roundup captures the essence of homemade cooking. Don’t let these gems be forgotten and let’s get cooking like the good old days!

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Slice of lemonade pie on a plate with lemonade in the background.
Lemonade Pie. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cool off with a slice of Frozen Lemonade Pie, a refreshingly sweet and tangy vintage dessert that’s perfect for hot summer days. This easy, no-bake treat is sure to become a new favorite with an old-fashioned twist.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Lemonade Pie

Quick Pickled Beets

Rediscover the tangy, sweet taste of homemade Pickled Beets, a vibrant and colorful vintage recipe that’s just like grandma made. These versatile pickles are perfect as a side dish, salad topper, or straight from the jar!
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beets

Watergate Salad

Relive the retro charm of Watergate Salad, a delightful and creamy concoction made with pistachio pudding, pineapple, and marshmallows. This easy-to-make dessert is a blast from the past that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad

Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a comforting and savory meal with these Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops. The slow-cooked, tender meat, smothered in a rich, creamy sauce, is an old-fashioned favorite that’ll warm your heart and soul.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops

Amish Macaroni Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad is the nostalgic side dish that brings you back to Grandma’s kitchen in a heartbeat! The sweet and tangy dressing coats elbow macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, and crunchy veggies for a rich, creamy delight.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Stewed Potatoes

Cozy up to Stewed Potatoes, the ultimate throwback comfort food. This dish, with its tender potatoes swimming in a rich, savory broth, harkens back to simpler times when meals were hearty and made with love. Grandma would be proud!
Get the Recipe: Stewed Potatoes

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Ricotta cookies with icing and colored sprinkles on a cooling rack and on the counter.
Italian Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Savor the sweet nostalgia of Italian Ricotta Cookies, a soft and tender vintage treat that melts in your mouth. These scrumptious cookies, with their light lemon glaze, will remind you of cherished family gatherings from years gone by.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Campbells Green Bean Casserole

Experience the classic comfort of Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole, a vintage recipe that’s been a staple at Thanksgiving and other family celebrations for generations. With its creamy sauce, tender green beans, and crispy onion topping, it’s a taste of nostalgia everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

Sour Cream Cookies

Treat yourself to these delightful Sour Cream Cookies, a soft, cake-like vintage dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. With their fluffy texture and sweet glaze, they’re a cherished family recipe.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Cookies

Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato soup in a gray and white bowl with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a bowl of heartwarming Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup, an old-fashioned comfort food that’s perfect for chilly nights. Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this slow-simmered soup is a taste of yesteryear.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup

Utica Greens

Enjoy Utica Greens, an old-fashioned Italian-American side dish filled with sautéed escarole, garlic, and prosciutto. This classic recipe, beloved by generations, will add a touch of nostalgia to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Utica Greens

Bread and Butter Pickles

Enjoy the sweet, tangy flavor of homemade Bread and Butter Pickles, a 1930s era recipe that’s perfect for dressing up sandwiches or enjoying straight from the jar. These versatile pickles are a delicious reminder of days gone by.
Get the Recipe: Bread and Butter Pickles

Lime Jello Salad

Piece of lime jello salad topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Lime Jello Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Brighten up your meal with a serving of Lime Jello Salad, a vintage-inspired dish that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, and fun. This colorful, wiggly salad is a delightful throwback to days gone by, perfect for potlucks or family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

Mushroom Stew

Enjoy a bowl of warm and comforting Mushroom Stew, a rustic Italian-American dish packed with rich, earthy flavors. This hearty, savory meal will remind you of cherished family recipes and cozy evenings spent at grandma’s table.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stew

Amish Potato Salad

This Amish Potato Salad is a hearty and delicious throwback to simpler times. Bursting with flavor and a creamy dressing, it’s a perfect side dish for any occasion – and it’s just like grandma made!
Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad

Pea Salad

pea salad in a blue bowl.
Pea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Delight in the fresh and vibrant flavors of Pea Salad, a vintage-inspired side dish made with peas, cheese, bacon, and a creamy dressing. This old-school recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Baked Manicotti

Indulge in the classic comfort of Baked Manicotti, a vintage Italian dish filled with creamy ricotta and smothered in rich marinara sauce. This hearty, flavorful meal is sure to transport you back to grandma’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew

Grandma’s hearty offal stew is a vintage recipe that makes use of the lesser-known, but flavorful parts of the cow, such as the heart and kidney. This nutritious stew is a great way to use up every part of the animal and reduce food waste.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew

Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Indulge in this vintage-inspired Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers, a moist and flavorful dish that’ll transport you back to your grandma’s kitchen. The Ritz Crackers create a perfect texture, bringing an old-fashioned touch to a classic dinner staple.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

Brown Derby Cocktail

Feel like you’re in Old Hollywood when you sip on a Brown Derby drink, named for a famous restaurant frequented by movie stars.
Get the Recipe: Brown Derby Cocktail

Chewy Molasses Cookies

There is nothing better than a slightly spicy molasses cookie. This has been a favorite for generations, and it makes the tastiest, chewiest cookie that flat out disappears every time you make a batch.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies

Salt Potatoes

Salt Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.
Salt Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dig into a heaping serving of Salt Potatoes, a classic popular since the 1800s in Syracuse, New York. Simple yet incredibly satisfying these tender, buttery potatoes are the ultimate comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Salt Potatoes

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie is smooth, creamy, and full of flavor. If you love coconut, you will love this pie.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Farmers Cheese

Super easy way to make your own Fresh Homemade Farmers Cheese with only 1 ingredient. This unaged, cultured farmers cheese recipe using fermenting method is a perfect addition in our low carb lifestyle. Use it with various recipes from simple spreads, making your own farmers bread up to a super low carb cakes and sweets.
Get the Recipe: Farmers Cheese

Classic Blueberry Cobbler

Closeup of blueberry cobbler with a few pieces gone and a spoon with berry filling.
Old Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Indulge in the sweet, fruity goodness of Blueberry Cobbler, a time-honored dessert with a buttery, crumbly topping that’ll bring back memories of warm summer evenings on the porch.
Get the Recipe: Classic Blueberry Cobbler

Clover Club Cocktail

The vintage Clover Club cocktail is a sweet sipper made with sweet raspberries and gin. The recipe’s roots go back to the late 1800s!
Get the Recipe: Clover Club Cocktail

Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake

This church social vintage recipe is incredibly easy to make and is a perfect sweet breakfast or light dessert. The applesauce makes it incredibly moist, and it’s naturally dairy free, too.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake

Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Oven roasted pork loin with potatoes, carrots and cabbage on a plate.
Oven Roasted Pork Loin. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Savor the mouthwatering goodness of Oven Roasted Pork Loin, a classic, old-fashioned Sunday dinner favorite dish that’s tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. It’s an age-old family recipe that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Pot Roast is a traditional recipe that has been enjoyed by families for generations. The succulent beef, tender vegetables, and rich gravy come together beautifully in this comforting classic, made even easier with the convenience of a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Louisiana Style Hot Sauce

Louisiana Style Hot Sauce is like a time machine in a bottle, taking you back to the deep South with its punchy, tangy kick. It’s been jazzing up dishes for generations and is a tried-and-true staple that’s never gone out of style – a true vintage treasure!
Get the Recipe: Louisiana Style Hot Sauce

Frozen Grasshopper

two mint green frozen ice cream cocktails with layers of liqueur and two chocolate biscuit sticks in stemless martini glasses.
Frozen Grasshopper. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Step back in time and make a frozen grasshopper drink to serve at your next dinner party. This ice cream version of the mint green classic cocktail is perfect for dinner parties because it serves a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Grasshopper

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